The latest trans-Atlantic trade plan has been dubbed an “economic NATO,” and sometimes officials put as much emphasis on the “NATO” as the economics.

Since talks were launched earlier this year, U.S. and European Union officials have frequently cited the potential for post-crisis economic gains, including new jobs, as the main reason for the two biggest economic powers to hammer out the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, or TTIP.

But some are also making the geopolitical argument for closer U.S.-EU ties at a time when some major emerging markets are embracing different economic models and Russia is seeking to boost its influence in former Soviet states. For many Europeans, economic ties are seen as a buffer against the divisive forces that dragged the continent into wars in the 20th century.

On Tuesday, U.K. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Vice President Joe Biden discussed the strategic elements of the TTIP trade talks, which are strongly supported by both administrations.

“We both did discuss the widely viewed strategic gravitational pull that such a powerful trade zone would exercise on economies, not just in Europe but in other hemispheres as well,” Mr. Clegg said on the sidelines of a TTIP gathering hosted by the Atlantic Council, a nonpartisan Washington think tank.

Mr. Clegg said he and Mr. Biden didn’t focus specifically on the TTIP’s potential effect on former Soviet states.

The EU blames Russia for putting pressure on Armenia, Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova not to enter broad trade accords with Brussels.

“From a standpoint of national security, this agreement is important,” said Mr. Murphy, adding that he opposed previous trade deals when he was in the House of Representatives but supports TTIP.

“The geopolitical concerns are what really put this over the edge for many of us,” Mr. Murphy said at the Atlantic Council gathering.

But the talks do show the importance of the U.K. retaining its links to Brussels, he said.

“Clearly we would not be in a position to participate, in any meaningful way, in TTIP negotiations, if we were outside the European Union,” he said. “We only enjoy the market access that we do, across the world as the UK, because we participate in those trade negotiations as part of the EU.”

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